The French embassy in Delhi on Tuesday clarified that there were no restrictions imposed on wearing turbans in public places in the European country, reported the Times of India. "France upholds the freedom of religion, as well as the right not to have one, and opposes discrimination on this ground. There is no ban on the wearing of turbans," the embassy said in a statement after the so-called banning of the turban made national headlines.

According to the embassy, the French law on restricting religious signs applies without any discrimination only to public schools. Other than this, only the burqa is banned in public places for "obvious security reasons".

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal last week wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the absence of Sikh regiment at the Republic Day celebrations this year, where French President Francois Hollande was the chief guest. Badal said that the community, which has been struggling for their rights in France, lost an opportunity to showcase the importance of turban to the French leader.